Download a free poster ⬇︎⬇︎
We always have our mouth ready to help read, say and write the correct sound.
★ It’s useful to know that this technique works for p & q as well! Feel your own mouth as you make those sounds, and check how the letters are formed.
Try out this reliable, simple strategy to support your learners:
When spelling:
- if you feel your lips in a straight line for the /b/ sound, start writing the straight line for the letter b. Same goes for the sound /p/. Our mouth makes the same shape for both sounds, but /p/ is voiceless, and /b/ is voiced.
- if you feel your lips open in more of a circle shape for the /d/ sound, start writing the open circle shape of the letter d. Same goes for the phonemes /kw/ for the qu spelling.
When reading along the line…
- if you first see the straight line of the letter ➜b, make your lips in a straight line for the /b/ sound. The same works for the letter ➜p.
- if you first see open circle shape of the letter ➜d, make your lips open in a circle shape for the /d/ sound. Same for ➜q.
It’s important to learn the correct letter formation to write these letters. Say the sounds aloud while practicing writing the letters to link them in memory. Neurons that fire together ‘wire together’!
We love the Peterson Handwriting prompts ⬇︎⬇︎
Download a free poster which uses our Sound Cards to help your learners sort out those tricky b and d / p and q reversals:
Click on the poster pic to download your own PDF to print ☺︎
Here are two links to read further about why letter reversals happen – it’s nothing to do with ‘seeing backwards’… its a normal developmental occurrence.
Let me know how it goes! I hope it’s helpful for your learners too.
Ngā mihi mahana,
Emma
Thank you so much for your amazing resources
Thank you for your amazing mahi, Emma. These will be especially helpful to include in home packs for my intervention tier 2 ākonga 😊